Digambars are sky clad means without clothes while swetambars are white clothed always. Jainism is a transtheistic religion, and jains trace their. Followers of jainism are called jains, and there are about 4 million worldwide. Digambars follow two main texts shatkhand agam and kasay pahud and four anuyogs consisting of more than 20 texts written by great acharyas scholars from 100 to a. Karma is an invisible force in hinduism, whereas in jainism it is a form of matter which can stick to the soul. They are humans who achieve enlightenment via asceticism. Religion and culture of the jains by jyoti prasad jain 1983, bharatiya jnanpith will provide an orderly and clear. The subsect taranapantha is known after its founder taranasvami or taranataranasvami 14481515 a.
The kalpa sutra is the holy book of the of jainism religion. Dundas work in portraying the jains will have lasting value. The existing agam sutras are accepted as the authentic preaching of lord mahavir by the swetambar sects, but the digambar sect does not accept. There are six highly recommended books that together form an excellent literary introduction to jainism and the jain way of thinking. The religious scripture of the jains are known as agama. Two extensive canons exist, as the digambara and svetambara sects each developed their own scriptures. Each of the three jain sects may celebrate slightly different festivals so not all jains will celebrate every holiday. In fact, the householders are supposed to evolve to the monkhood in the later stages of life as was the case with the hinduism in the vedic era. This book is the first comprehensive study of jainism to be published in the west. Jains do not have a traditional place for god or gods, but do for the omniscient fordmakers. Originally they were transmitted orally and were not documented until many centuries after their composition. The following list of books incorporates a number of salient points of view, and they would be especially good for those not raised as jains.
Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. The svetambaras believe that the collection of 32 or 45, the number is disputed agamas holy scriptures are the first and foremost of all holy texts. Jains will gather in temples to hear readings of the teachings of mahavira. The three holy books torah, bible, and quran are god revelation and not man made and written texts. Buy sacred books of jain religion and jain literature, jain holy books, best jainism books from singh brothers. The jain literature, which was compiled by ganadharas and srutkevlis, is known as agam literature. Jain beliefs fundamental beliefs of jainism the soul is bounded by karma from. As a result of these factors the jaina religion which was one and undivided up to the time of tirthankara mahavira and even up to the beginning of the christian era got divided first into the two major sects, viz. Jainism recognised the existence of god while buddhism did not. Svetambaras one of the 2 main sects of jainism accept 32 to 45 sacred texts known as aagamas.
Jainworld is a nonprofit taxexempt membership and donationsupported organization dedicated to jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. Each of these sects is also divided into subgroups. These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion. The various jain sects accept or reject to varying degrees the agams. The existing agam sutras are accepted as the authentic preaching of lord mahavira by the swetambar sects, but the digambar sect does not accept them as authentic. Jainism was born in india in the same century as buddhism, and it was established by mahavira in around.
Jains are strict vegetarians and live in a way that minimises their use of worlds resources. Jainworld is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. The faith is named for the jinas, spiritual conquerors who have achieved liberation and perfection. Knowledge of what is now in written form is essential to being a good jain. The torah which is the first five books of the old testament or the pentateuch. Followers of jainism are called jains, a word derived from the sanskrit word jina victor referring to the path of victory in crossing over lifes stream of rebirths by destroying karma through an ethical and spiritual life. Mahavira was the last of the tirthankaras in a lineage of 24 thirthankaras, which suggests that the tradition originated long before the birth of mahavira. Jainism holy book best jainism books singh brothers.
This festival celebrates the day of mahaviras birth. For example, all three traditions share a notion of karma as the actions of individuals that determine their future births, yet each has attached unique connotations to the concept. Unlike most common monotheistic religions, jainism does not have one holy book that characterizes their faith. Jaina sutras, part ii sacred books of the east vol. Jainism, hinduism, and buddhism share many key concepts derived from the sanskrit language and dialects that have enabled them to hone their religious debates. Sanskrit verse from shivpuran lord rishabhdev jineshwar first tirthankar the omniscient and the all pervasive incarnated himself on the magnificent kailas ashtapad mountain. Both the avoidance of nonviolence towards other lifeforms and an active sense of compassion toward them. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. Formerly there were 84 aagams but there are total 45 aagam in existence at present. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras.
However, in buddhism there is what is known as the three baskets in sanskrit tripitika which consists of the vinayabasket the monastic precepts, regulations, and stories related to the establishment of the sang. List of world religions and founders, religious books. While these two divisions of jainism are in broad agreement about the main teachings. The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. There are two sects of jainism digambara and swetambara. Buddhism prescribes a middle path while jainism advocates its followers to live the life of complete austerity. This page lists some jain festivals and holy days, including the birthday of mahavira and paryushana, which started as a monastic day of reflection. This point is proved by what is said in the following quotes from oldest hindu holy books that jainism existed before vedas were composed.
Jainism you should read enough of the materials presented in this section concerning the tradition of jainism in order to understand how this tradition displays the characteristics or elements that make a tradition one that would be termed a religion. Scriptures are not understood to be divinely revealed but rather eternally existent truths. The tradition presented in the materials below is one of the. Dundas looks at jainism in its social and doctrinal context, explaining its history, sects, scriptures and ritual. This is one of the most important differences between the two groups in jainism, and it means that jain texts have very different roles for the two groups of jains. Shah jain study center of north carolina raleigh 401 farmstead drive, cary nc 275115631 9194690956 and fax email. Images of mahavira are paraded through the streets with much pomp and ceremony. Jainism emerged in 6thcentury bce india, the same time buddhism was developing. The tattvarthasutra contains the main doctrines of the jain faith, though the two main sects have slightly different versions and composition dates.
Jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. This subsect is also called samaiyapantha because its followers worship sarnaya, i. Digambaras other major sect accept 2 texts known as satkhandagama and kasaayapahuda, composed in 2nd century c. The sub sect taranapantha is known after its founder taranasvami or taranataranasvami 14481515 a. All sects agree that teaching was first transmitted orally, however, the two main sects of jainism, svetambara and digambara disagree on which scriptures are authoritative, or most important. The world of conquerors volume 1 natubhai shah, dr natubhai shah.
The teachings of the twenty four tirthankaras were first composed in fourteen purvas and later in twelve angpravishthaagams an ang being a limb by ganadhars themselves. Mahavir is considered as the last tirthankar and also the founder of jainism. Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures. In hinduism, gods are worshiped in several ways and for several reasons such as knowledge, peace, wisdom, health, and it also believed to be ones duty to pray god as god is considered as our maker as we originated from them and we are staying in them and at last will merge. The hebrew scriptures, referred to by christians as the old testament, are called the tanakh, which is the hebrew acronym for the three different parts. Jain holidays and festivals largely revolve around important events such as births and deaths in the lives of the thirthnkaras, or saints. Jainism lays heavy emphasis on nonviolence ahimsa and the believers of this religion, whether a monk or a householder, follow a very strict, well disciplined life. It prescribes a path of noninjury ahimsa towards all living beings. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. How i learned to stop worrying and love religion aug 1 2009. The jains, a small religious group believing in an immortal soul, are indigenous to india, and affirm many of the ideas of their hindu counterparts, but are critical of other hindu doctrines. Jainism does not condemn the varna system while buddhism does. This oldest wisdom of mankind is being made available in all the languages for the benefit of humanity with movements like mission 24l. This sub sect is also called samaiyapantha because its followers worship sarnaya, i.
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